KSL-TV welcomes 2 new anchors, new format

Mike Headrick, left, Nadine Wimmer and Dave McCann attend a rehearsal at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 25, 2012.

These guys are both really fun and they're both really engaged in what they're doing.—Nadine Wimmer

SALT LAKE CITY — KSL-TV will welcome two new faces to its news team on Tuesday and introduce a new format to its Utah audience.

Dave McCann and Mike Headrick will join Nadine Wimmer as anchors of the station's evening newscasts. Their invitation to join KSL follows the retirement of Bruce Lindsay, who anchored evening newscasts continuously since 1978.

Both men will join Wimmer as anchors during the 10 p.m. newscast, a change in format for KSL, which has traditionally had two anchors behind the desk. The news team also includes chief meteorologist Kevin Eubank and sports director Tom Kirkland.

"The show moves really fast," Wimmer said after the three anchors completed a run-through on Friday. "These guys are both really fun and they're both really engaged in what they're doing."

Tanya Vea, KSL's executive vice president of news, said a three-anchor team adds versatility to the newscast. The anchors, she said, won't be as tied to sitting behind a desk and will more frequently be able to leave the studio and interact with the community.

"It’s surprising how adding a third person can change the whole dynamic of a show," Vea said. "This will allow us to better highlight our communities in new, exciting ways."

Speaking of her new team members, Vea had only praise for both McCann and Headrick. She said both men are versatile as anchors and reporters and Utah is lucky to have them.

McCann said he's known Wimmer for years but met Headrick only recently through the process of joining KSL. He said that while filming promotional videos for KSL, it felt like the group had been together for a long time.

"There's a lot of personality in this group," he said. "We're different, we're new and I'm excited to see how it works out. If I was a viewer I wouldn't want to miss it"

McCann, who grew up in Orem, has worked in Las Vegas for the past 20 years on television and radio and is best known to Utahns as the face of BYUtv sports. In addition to anchoring on KSL, McCann will continue in his assignments as an announcer for BYU football and basketball.

"This is a great opportunity," he said. "I think it’s the best opportunity in all of television."

Headrick is joining the KSL team as an anchor and special projects reporter. He previously appeared on KUTV in Salt Lake City and most recently worked in Denver. He said he always knew that if he returned to Utah, it would be to work with KSL.

"I've always respected KSL," he said. "For me, this is one of those dream jobs."

Headrick was raised in Ohio and graduated from Brigham Young University. He has relocated several times during his career and said he hopes joining KSL will prove to be a long-term relationship.

"I hope to end my career here," he said. "I'm committed to being here and putting forth my best effort. As much as I've moved, I don't plan on leaving anymore."

Vea said KSL hopes to accomplish a better blend of levity and seriousness with the new format and the addition of McCann and Headrick. She said each anchor brings their own personalities and strengths to the team and the result is something unique to Salt Lake City news coverage.

"If you haven’t watched KSL recently or have been disappointed in local news generally, now is the time to turn back," Vea said. "I think you will like what you see."